Islamic Religious Council of Singapore
Friday Sermon
6 May 2022 / 4 Syawal 1443H
A Mother’s Love and Affection
My dear brothers and sisters
Let us continue our efforts to elevate our taqwa of Allah (s.w.t.) by obeying His commands and abstaining from His prohibitions. May all our good deeds be rewarded by Allah (s.w.t.) Amin.
Brothers and sisters,
It is narrated in a hadith that, “The Prophet (s.a.w.) once kissed Al-Hasan bin Ali, while sitting beside him was a companion named Al-Aqra’ Bin Habis. Al-Aqra’ then said: “I have ten children, yet never have I embraced them.” The Prophet (s.a.w.) looked at him and said: “Whoever does not show mercy will not receive mercy.” (Hadith narrated by Imam Al-Bukhari)
It is clear from this narration that the Prophet (s.a.w.) wanted to teach his people that it is important to express love and mercy towards our family. To be compassionate and merciful upon a child is an important aspect that shapes the character and personality of a child.
Brothers and sisters,
It cannot be denied that mercy is a term often repeated in the Quran if compared with other words. Mercy is also the first attribute that Allah (s.w.t.) has chosen to introduce himself in Surah Al-Fatihah.
This shows that mercy is a value that should form the foundation of our interaction with other people, especially with our family members.
However, in the context of educating our children, mercy does not mean that the parents should fulfil every wish and demand of the child out of love, without considering the child’s welfare, be it for this world and the hereafter. Instead, it should drive the child to a path that leads to Allah’s pleasure and not one that leads to His displeasure. This is the true essence of mercy.
Surely, every parent wishes the best for the child’s well-being. Hence, they will not fulfil a request that will bring harm to the child. For example, to disallow a child from consuming foods and drinks that are harmful is a sign of mercy, as it seeks to protect the child and not to harm them.
Brothers and sisters,
To educate and caution the child against what is wrong is one of the values advocated in Islam. It is also a manifestation of mercy. For example, Allah will not let His servants to continue being misguided. At times, we might be tested with challenges and hardships, but this is to remind us of our shortcomings. To awaken us from our state of carelessness and forgetfulness.
Similarly, this is how reminders should be present in familial relationships.
However, it is important that we correct them wisely and gently, without insulting or hurting them. It must be done with the intent to benefit and nurture the child with positive values. Allah (s.w.t.) says in the Quran:
Which means: “You are the best community ever raised for humanity—you encourage good, forbid evil, and believe in Allah. Had the People of the Book believed, it would have been better for them. Some of them are faithful, but most are rebellious.” (Al-Imran: 110)
May Allah (s.w.t.) guide us to be amongst those who are merciful and compassionate towards the people around us. And may Allah make it easy for us to follow the example of our beloved Prophet (s.a.w.). Amin Ya Rabbal ‘Alamin.
أَقُوْلُ قَوْلِي هَذَا وَ أَسْتَغْفِرُ اللهَ العَظِيْمَ لِي وَ لَكُمْ، فَاسْتَغْفِرُوهُ إِنَّهُ هُوَ الغَفُوْرُ الرَّحِيْم
Second Sermon
الحَمْدُ للهِ حَمْدًا كَثِيرًا كَمَا أَمَرَ، وَأَشْهَدُ أَن لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ، وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ سَيِّدَنَا مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ. اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ وَسَلِّمْ عَلَى سَيِّدِنَا مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَى آلِهِ وَأَصْحَابِهِ أَجْمَعِينَ. أَمَّا بَعْدُ، فَيَا عِبَادَ الله، اِتَّقُوا اللهَ تَعَالَى فِيمَا أَمَرَ، وَانتَهُوا عَمَّا نَهَاكُم عَنْهُ وَزَجَرَ.
أَلَا صَلُّوا وَسَلِّمُوا عَلَى النَّبِيِّ الْمُصْطَفَى، فَقَدْ أَمَرَنَا اللهُ بِذَلِكَ حَيْثُ قَال فِي كِتَابِهِ العَزِيزِ: إِنَّ اللهَ وَمَلَائِكَتَهُ يُصَلُّونَ عَلَى النَّبِيِّ يَـا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا صَلُّوا عَلَيهِ وَسَلِّمُوا تَسلِيمًا. اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ وَسَلِّمْ وَ بَارِكْ عَلَى سَيِّدِنَا مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَى آلِ سَيِّدِنَا مُحَمَّدٍ.
وَارْضَ اللَّهُمَّ عَنِ الخُلَفَاءِ الرَّاشِدِينَ المَهْدِيِّينَ أَبِي بَكْرٍ وَعُمَرَ وَعُثْمَانَ وَعَلِيِّ، وَعَن بَقِيَّةِ الصَّحَابَةِ وَالقَرَابَةِ وَالتَّابِعِينَ، وَتَابِعِي التَّابِعِينَ، وَعَنَّا مَعَهُم وَفِيهِم بِرَحْمَتِكَ يَا أَرْحَمَ الرَّاحِمِينَ.
اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِلمُؤْمِنِينَ وَالمُؤْمِنَاتِ، وَالمُسْلِمِينَ وَالمُسْلِمَاتِ، الأَحْيَاءِ مِنهُم وَالأَمْوَاتِ. اللَّهُمَّ ادْفَعْ عَنَّا البَلَاءَ وَالوَبَاءَ وَالزَّلَازِلَ وَالمِحَنَ، مَا ظَهَرَ مِنْهَا وَمَا بَطَنَ، عَن بَلَدِنَا خَاصَّةً، وَسَائِرِ البُلْدَانِ عَامَّةً، يَارَبَّ العَالَمِينَ. رَبَّنَا آتِنَا فِي الدُّنيَا حَسَنَةً، وَفِي الآخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً، وَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ.
عِبَادَ اللهِ، إِنَّ اللهَ يَأْمُرُ بِالعَدْلِ وَالإِحْسَانِ وَإِيتَاءِ ذِي القُرْبَى، وَيَنْهَى عَنِ الفَحْشَاءِ وَالمُنكَرِ وَالبَغْيِ، يَعِظُكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَذَكَّرُونَ، فَاذكُرُوا اللهَ العَظِيمَ يَذْكُركُمْ، وَاشْكُرُوهُ عَلَى نِعَمِهِ يَزِدكُمْ، وَاسْأَلُوهُ مِن فَضلِهِ يُعطِكُم، وَلَذِكرُ اللهِ أَكبَرُ، وَاللهُ يَعلَمُ مَا تَصنَعُونَ.
